Siemens, Known for Inefficiency,
Makes Ambitious Profit Promise

BERLIN -- Siemens AG has made massive strides in efficiency in recent years. Now it's trying to turn those gains into profits.

Chairman Heinrich von Pierer has vowed to meet an ambitious profitability goal by 2000 and he has hired an American consulting firm to help get him there. The firm, Stern Stewart, has done work for Coca-Cola Co. in the U.S. and SmithKline Beecham PLC in Britain. Mr. von Pierer is expected to repeat his pledge...